cloth made from flax. Several different Hebrew words are rendered linen, which may denote different fabrics of linen or different modes of manufacture. Egypt was the great centre of the linen trade. Some linen, made form the Egyptian byssus , a flax that grew on the banks of the Nile, was exceedingly soft and of dazzling whiteness. This linen has been sold for twice its weight in gold. Sir J.G. Wilkinson says of it, "The quality of the fine linen fully justifies all the praises of antiquity, and excites equal admiration at the present day, being to the touch comparable to silk, and not inferior in texture to our finest cambric."

ATS Bible Dictionary

Linen

As is well known, is made of the fine fibers of flax, and was much used by the ancients. Four different words in Hebrew are translated in our Bible, "Linen," "fine linen," and "silk:" PISHTAH, Jud 15:14 Ezekiel 44:17,18; BAD, worn by the priests, Exodus 28:42 39:28, and by king David, etc., 2 Samuel 6:14; SHESH, worn by Joseph when governor of Egypt, Genesis 41:42, and by the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:22, (see SILK;) and BUTZ, of which the veil of the temple and David's outer mantle were made,

1 Chronicles 15:272 Chronicles 2:14 3:14 5:12. These words may indicate different qualities of linen, but are thought to mean in part cloth of different materials, particularly the last two. Some think BUTZ, in Latin byssus, denotes cotton cloth, and SHESH that made of hemp. See COTTON, and FLAX. Fine linen was sometimes made of snowy whiteness, and was a symbol of the purity of angels and of the redeemed church, Revelation 15:6 19:8.

(4.) Hebrews shesh; rendered "fine linen" Exodus 25:4; 26:1, 31, 36, etc. In Proverbs 31:22 it is rendered in Authorized Version "silk," and in Revised Version "fine linen." The word denotes Egyptian linen of peculiar whiteness and fineness (byssus). The finest Indian linen, the finest now made, has in an inch one hundred threads of warp and eighty-four of woof; while the Egyptian had sometimes one hundred and forty in the warp and sixty-four in the woof. This was the usual dress of the Egyptian priest. Pharaoh arrayed Joseph in a dress of linen (Genesis 41:42).

Ancient Egypt was noted for its fine linen (Genesis 41:42Isaiah 19:9). From it a large export trade was carried on with surrounding nations, including the Hebrews, who early learned the art of spinning from the Egyptians (Exodus 35:25) and continued to rely on them for the finest linen (Proverbs 7:16Ezekiel 27:7). The culture of flax in Palestine probably antedated the conquest, for in Joshua 2:6 we read of the stalks of flax which Rahab had laid in order upon the roof. Among the Hebrews, as apparently among the Canaanites, the spinning and weaving of linen were carried on by the women (Proverbs 31:13, 19), among whom skill in this work was considered highly praiseworthy (Exodus 35:25). One family, the house of Ashbea, attained eminence as workers in linen (1 Chronicles 4:212 Chronicles 2:14).

2. General Uses:

Linen was used, not only in the making of garments of the finer kinds and for priests, but also for shrouds, hangings, and possibly for other purposes in which the most highly prized cloth of antiquity would naturally be desired.

Garments of distinction were generally made of the same material: e.g. those which Pharaoh gave Joseph (Genesis 41:42), and those which Mordecai wore (Esther 8:15; compare also Luke 16:19). Even a girdle of fine linen could be used by a prophet as a means of attracting attention to his message (Jeremiah 13:1). It is probable that linen wrappers of a coarser quality were used by men (Judges 14:12, 13) and women (Proverbs 31:22). The use of linen, however, for ordinary purposes probably suggested unbecoming luxury (Isaiah 3:23Ezekiel 16:10, 13; compare also Revelation 18:12, 16). The poorer classes probably wore wrappers made either of unbleached flax or hemp (Ecclesiasticus 40:4; Mark 14:51). The use of a mixture called sha'aTnez, which is defined (Deuteronomy 22:11) as linen and wool together, was forbidden in garments.

5. Shrouds:

The Egyptians used linen exclusively in wrapping their mummies (Herod. ii.86). As many as one hundred yards were used in one bandage. Likewise, the Hebrews seem to have preferred this material for winding-sheets for the dead, at least in the days of the New Testament (Matthew 27:59Mark 15:46Luke 23:53John 19:40; John 20:5) and the Talmud (Jerusalem Killayim 9:32b).

6. Hangings:

The use of twisted linen (shesh moshzar) for fine hangings dates back to an early period. It was used in the tabernacle (Exodus 26:1; Exodus 27:9; Exodus 35; Exodus 35 36; 38; Josephus, Ant, III, vi, 2), in the temple (2 Chronicles 3:14), and no doubt in other places (Mishna, Yoma', iii.4). Linen cords for hangings are mentioned in the description of the palace of Ahasuerus at Shushan (Esther 1:6).

7. Other Uses:

Other uses are suggested, such as for sails, in the imaginary ship to which Tyre is compared (Ezekiel 27:7), but judging from the extravagance of the other materials in the ship, it is doubtful whether we may infer that such valuable material as linen was ever actually used for this purpose. It is more likely, however, that it was used for coverings or tapestry (Proverbs 7:16), and possibly in other instances where an even, durable material was needed, as in making measuring lines (Ezekiel 40:3).

Arrangement and Furniture of the Church... A rubric directs that at the time of the Communion the Altar shall be covered with a "fair white linen cloth" ("fair," that is, not only clean, but beautiful). .../.../regester/the worship of the church/arrangement and furniture of the.htm

Reverence in Worship.... SERMON I. Reverence in Worship. "Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.""1 Samuel 2:18. .../.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon i reverence in worship.htm

The Day of Atonement... Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place; with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.4. He shall put on the holy linen coat, and .../.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

That the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action.... Which ephod is also rightly ordered to be made of gold, blue, purple, twice dyed scarlet, and flue twined linen (Exodus 28:8), that it may be shewn by how .../.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter iii that the ruler.htm

The Crucifixion.... Both were aromatic"Psalm 45:8.] ^a 59 And Joseph ^b bought a linen cloth [a sindon"see p.693], ^c 53 And he took ^a the body, ^c down, ^b and taking him .../.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiii the crucifixion 4.htm

The Marriage of the Lamb.... And it was granted to her to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: (for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.) And he saith to me, Write .../.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the marriage of the lamb.htm

Finely (27 Occurrences)... Exodus 26:1 Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains: of fine twinedlinen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim the work of the .../f/finely.htm - 14k

Undergarments (6 Occurrences)... Exodus 28:42 You shall make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness; from the waist even to the thighs they shall reach: (See NIV). .../u/undergarments.htm - 8k

Turban (13 Occurrences)... worn by men in the Levant and by most Mohammedans of the male sex, consisting of a cap, and a sash, scarf, or shawl, usually of cotton or linen, wound about .../t/turban.htm - 11k

Needlework (23 Occurrences)... Exodus 26:36 And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework. .../n/needlework.htm - 14k

Mark 14:51 A certain young man followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself, over his naked body. The young men grabbed him,(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 14:52 but he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Mark 15:46 He bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of a rock. He rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 2:7 And she had her first son; and folding him in linen, she put him to rest in the place where the cattle had their food, because there was no room for them in the house.(BBE)

Luke 2:12 And this is the sign to you: you will see a young child folded in linen, in the place where the cattle have their food.(BBE)

Luke 10:34 And came to him and put clean linen round his wounds, with oil and wine; and he put him on his beast and took him to a house and took care of him.(BBE)

Luke 16:19 "Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day.(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 23:53 He took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever been laid.(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 24:12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he departed to his home, wondering what had happened.(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

John 11:44 And he who was dead came out, with linen bands folded tightly about his hands and feet, and a cloth about his face. Jesus said to them, Make him free and let him go.(BBE NIV)

John 13:4 rises from supper and lays aside his garments, and having taken a linen towel he girded himself:(DBY)

John 13:5 then he pours water into the washhand basin, and began to wash the feet of the disciples, and to wipe them with the linen towel with which he was girded.(DBY)

John 19:40 So they took Jesus' body, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 41:42 Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck,(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 50:2 And Joseph gave orders to his servants who had the necessary knowledge, to make his father's body ready, folding it in linen with spices, and they did so.(BBE)

Exodus 26:1 "Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim. The work of the skillful workman you shall make them.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 26:31 "You shall make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. The work of the skillful workman shall it be made.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 26:36 "You shall make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 27:9 "You shall make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen one hundred cubits long for one side: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 27:16 For the gate of the court shall be a screen of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer; their pillars four, and their sockets four.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 27:18 The length of the court shall be one hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty every where, and the height five cubits, of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 28:4 This is what they are to make: a priest's bag, an ephod, and a robe, and a coat of coloured needlework, a head-dress, and a linen band; they are to make holy robes for Aaron your brother and for his sons, so that they may do the work of priests for me.(BBE)

Exodus 28:5 They shall take the gold, and the blue, and the purple, and the scarlet, and the fine linen.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 28:6 "They shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the skillful workman.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 28:8 The skillfully woven band, which is on it, that is on him, shall be like its work and of the same piece; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 28:15 "You shall make a breastplate of judgment, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, you shall make it.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 28:39 You shall weave the coat in checker work of fine linen, and you shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash, the work of the embroiderer.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 28:42 You shall make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness; from the waist even to the thighs they shall reach: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 29:9 And put the linen bands round Aaron and his sons, and the head-dresses on them, to make them priests by my order for ever: so you are to make Aaron and his sons holy to me.(BBE)

Exodus 35:25 All the women who were wise-hearted spun with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 35:35 He has filled them with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of workmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do any workmanship, and of those who make skillful works.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 36:8 All the wise-hearted men among those who did the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twined linen, blue, purple, and scarlet, with cherubim, the work of the skillful workman, they made them.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 36:35 He made the veil of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubim. He made it the work of a skillful workman.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 36:37 He made a screen for the door of the tent, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer;(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 38:9 He made the court: for the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, one hundred cubits;(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 38:18 The screen for the gate of the court was the work of the embroiderer, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. Twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, like to the hangings of the court.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 38:23 With him was Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a skillful workman, and an embroiderer in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 39:3 They beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, in the purple, in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, the work of the skillful workman.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 39:5 The skillfully woven band that was on it, with which to fasten it on, was of the same piece, like its work; of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen; as Yahweh commanded Moses.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 39:8 He made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod; of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 39:24 They made on the skirts of the robe pomegranates of blue, purple, scarlet, and twined linen.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 39:27 They made the coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 39:29 and the sash of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, the work of the embroiderer, as Yahweh commanded Moses.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 6:10 The priest shall put on his linen garment, and he shall put on his linen breeches upon his body; and he shall remove the ashes from where the fire has consumed the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 6:11 Then having taken off his linen robes and put on other clothing, he is to take it away into a clean place, outside the tent-circle.(BBE)

Leviticus 13:47 "The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it is a woolen garment, or a linen garment;(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 13:48 whether it is in warp, or woof; of linen, or of wool; whether in a skin, or in anything made of skin;(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 13:52 He shall burn the garment, whether the warp or the woof, in wool or in linen, or anything of skin, in which the plague is: for it is a destructive mildew. It shall be burned in the fire.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 13:59 This is the law of the plague of mildew in a garment of wool or linen, either in the warp, or the woof, or in anything of skin, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 16:4 He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches on his body, and shall put on the linen sash, and he shall be dressed with the linen turban. They are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water, and put them on.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 16:23 "Aaron shall come into the Tent of Meeting, and shall take off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the Holy Place, and shall leave them there.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 16:32 The priest, who is anointed and who is consecrated to be priest in his father's place, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen garments, even the holy garments.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 14:12 Samson said to them, "Let me tell you a riddle now. If you can declare it to me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing;(WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 14:13 but if you can't declare it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing." They said to him, "Put forth your riddle, that we may hear it."(WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 22:18 The king said to Doeg, "Turn and attack the priests!" Doeg the Edomite turned, and he attacked the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five people who wore a linen ephod.(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 6:14 David danced before Yahweh with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 10:28 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.(KJV WBS)

1 Chronicles 4:21 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of those who worked fine linen, of the house of Ashbea;(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 15:27 David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites who bore the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: and David had on him an ephod of linen.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 1:16 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.(KJV WBS)

2 Chronicles 2:14 the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan; and his father was a man of Tyre, skillful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson, also to engrave any manner of engraving, and to devise any device; that there may be a place appointed to him with your skillful men, and with the skillful men of my lord David your father.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 3:14 He made the veil of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and ornamented it with cherubim.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 5:12 also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and their brothers, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them one hundred twenty priests sounding with trumpets;)(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Esther 1:6 There were hangings of white, green, and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Esther 8:15 Mordecai went out of the presence of the king in royal clothing of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple; and the city of Susa shouted and was glad.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 9:2 Behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lies toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man in the midst of them clothed in linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side. They went in, and stood beside the bronze altar.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 9:3 The glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house: and he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writer's inkhorn by his side.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 9:4 And He calleth unto the man who is clothed with linen, who hath the scribe's inkhorn at his loins, and Jehovah saith unto him, 'Pass on into the midst of the city, into the midst of Jerusalem, and thou hast made a mark on the foreheads of the men who are sighing and who are groaning for all the abominations that are done in its midst.'(YLT)

Ezekiel 9:11 Behold, the man clothed in linen, who had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as you have commanded me.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 10:2 He spoke to the man clothed in linen, and said, Go in between the whirling wheels, even under the cherub, and fill both your hands with coals of fire from between the cherubim, and scatter them over the city. He went in as I watched.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 10:6 It came to pass, when he commanded the man clothed in linen, saying, Take fire from between the whirling wheels, from between the cherubim, that he went in, and stood beside a wheel.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 10:7 The cherub stretched forth his hand from between the cherubim to the fire that was between the cherubim, and took of it, and put it into the hands of him who was clothed in linen, who took it and went out.(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 16:4 As for your birth, on the day of your birth your cord was not cut and you were not washed in water to make you clean; you were not salted or folded in linen bands.(BBE)

Ezekiel 16:10 I clothed you also with embroidered work, and shod you with sealskin, and I girded you about with fine linen, and covered you with silk.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)